A Weekend Affair # 2 - The Black Breakfast

[Wallflower]

Hellfire Club - The Armory

Alek: "Savage is no king. And for all her heartache, Ashley knows that. She knows I'm the half of the partnership she needs if she wants to stay in power. Brute force may get you the crown, but diplomacy keeps it. She also knows that an attack on me would displease the White Queen greatly. But thank you for your concern."

Amanda furrowed her brow for a moment. His increasingly frequent encounters with The White Queen had been a bit perplexing to the black knight. It seemed a bit brazen to her, especially since she knew that while Cameron liked to share, he had a clear line as to what was off limits. As far as Amanda knew, the relationship between Alek and Haleigh was purely sexual, but that's how it always started with Alek. He was a lover in every sense of the word. Masculine, Sexy, Insightful and Bold. He was easy to fall in love with, and Amanda knew that the worst thing possible for the courts would be for The Red King and The White Queen fall into some version of love with each other.

"I've grown accustomed to your face, Alek. Please...protect yourself. And should you require assistance...I will help as I can."

Alek: "And should Ava ever become Helena? You will have my support. But for now, take my advice. Be patient. Be secure in your court's strength."

Amanda nodded.

"Sure you don't want any?"

She waved the bottle in his face for a moment before grabbing her in his arms like the bear he was, pulling her into a rough kiss before letting her go, leaving her a bit dumbfounded and hot.

"I've had enough. For now."

And he was gone. Amanda took a moment for herself. They had been close friends for many years, and had often traded sporadic and fleeting flirtations, but Amanda had always had a bit of a thing for The Red King, which she forced herself to not entertain when he became the king. She finished the bottle, trying to wash his taste out of her mouth when she heard the doors open. Part of her hoped it would be Alek coming back to finish the job, but alas it was Ben, much to her annoyance.

"I can't even get five minutes alone in this place..."

Ben: "Well that was positively stupid, Cobra."

[flatly]

"So was getting wasted and passing out in one of the lounge's long enough to let Cassandra spill her guts about our entire court to the ERQ."

[shaking her head]

"But yes...I know it was stupid, Ben."

He grabbed a sword from a display and began to wield it with great profiency. Profiency he had learned from her. He may have been very strong, but strength without skill was a wasted attribute. She watched him both amused and annoyed.

Ben: "Am I going to have to put the deadly knight down? Or have you come to your senses?"

Amanda laughed.

"YOU? Put me down? Oh Benjamin, have you ever thought of becoming a writer? Your innate skill in comedy DOES amuse me..but to answer your question..YES..I've come to my senses..I'm sorry. I just needed a little ai--"

Ben interjected, looking at his phone.

Ben: "Oh Bollocks! Have the whole lot of you gone mad? This is supposed to be a celebratory day."

He held the phone up to her as she read the text message from Cassandra. Amanda furrowed her brow. She felt bad and then angry, which was the common reaction to most of what Cassandra did.

"She seemed fine at breakfast....for the most part. Did you say something to her? Ben we can't afford to have her go off the deep end this weekend, and she was at the brink. You need to play nice."

Ben: "That's all I've done is play nice, Amanda...at least up until this morning when I completely.."

"Ben..I'm already having a rough morning. Can you just please fix whatever you've done?"

The Black Bishop PLUNGED the sword into the marble floor, which was a little bit exciting.

"Okay...you're just feeling a little bit of that residual ALEK energy. Keep it cool, Cobra!"

Amanda could put them back with the best of them, but she was beginning to feel her buzz as her face became flushed with warmth.

Ben: "You're friskier than usual, Amanda. Which could be a good thing..It's time for us to play our parts this weekend. We need to talk about how today and tonight need to go..."

Smirking, she walked over towards the display case of swords, running her finger up and down the length of the blades delicately.

"Then by all means, Ben..."

She grabbed a sword and was on him in an instant with her enhanced speed as she lifted her blade high. Alek had given her great advice, but he was wrong about one thing..she didn't need to sleep it off..she needed to fight it off and Ben was overdue for a training session anyhow.

"Let's talk!"

Amanda lowered her blade, impressed at the sparks that flew when Ben's sword met hers mid air. His gentle and beautiful blue eyes met hers with an intensity she had never seen before from him. She cocked an amused eyebrow as she shot her foot out from under her, sweeping The Black Bishop to the ground as he hit the floor with an impressive thud. Ben thrusted his legs up, rising right to his feet from the ground and as it did, caused such a great force that it literally swept Amanda off of her feet and to the marble floors of the armory.

Ben: "Well for starters, you need to fix your damp little squib. Ava may understand, but if you disrespect John with your crafty little words, you'll be in a heap of shit..."

There was something different about Ben. He seemed...more himself. More resolved. Less of a musclebound Edward Cullen, not that she had ever read Twilight or dared to utter it's name out loud - she was a proud Slytherin, thank you very much. Something had happened to him. He was a bit brazen at breakfast with Archer, and for a moment, Amanda was thinking he might have actually taken her advice from the evening before and decided to let go of his insecurity. It was attractive.

In a FLASH, Amanda executed a flying side kick into Ben's stomach, causing him to hunch over. Ben was much stronger than her, but she was not without her own strength and durability. As he was hunched over, Amanda thought about bringing her elbow down onto his head and her knee underneath his jaw when she remembered that bloodied faces would not look well for the rest of the weekend, so instead, she grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder, using her ability to contract her muscles at great speeds to enhance her strength and ability to carry the Goliath as he hit the ground with a thunderous thud once again.

"He is a different beast than Ava...she likes my poetic tongue..and she also likes when I'm a bit bad..John won't respond to that..you know him better than I do, Benny boy..."

Cobra charged forthe again, her sword in her left hand.

"What do you suggest?"

BANG!

Sparks flew as their swords met in the air once more.

 

[Persephone]

Ava wanted to enjoy their consummation as King and Queen but John could tell she was upset by the reaction of Ashley, and in particular, Amanda.

John: “It is unlike Amanda to be so...sloppy. First yesterday, then this morning. Would you rather I talked to her?”

Ava gently shook her head no. She needed to speak with Amanda alone, titles aside.

"It would probably be best if I spoke with her. She's not upset with you, John. She's upset with me."

John was probably the most well liked member within the Inner Circle, everyone respecting him and valuing his place as Black Rook since the beginning. So to find people angry or upset about his 'promotion' was a little unsettling. Ava knew Amanda wasn't angry at John. Her anger was directed specifically to Ava. They continued to talk shop, this time moving on to Cass and Bretta. That was an interesting way to get Cass out of her hair. But still, would Bretta actually take her? And if so, would Cass even want to go. Or was this just all an elaborate plan and Bretta was just using her for information.

John: “What information does she really have? Especially that the girl didn’t already give her last night? SHE is the only crack to be found in the Black Court.”

"A crack big enough to cause damage, John. She may not know a lot, but she knows enough."

John: “It’s clear she’s not happy here. But undert...better circumstances...her power would be quite advantageous to a court vastly overshadowed by it’s black and white counterparts...”

"The European Red Court certainly does seem to be the weaker of the bunch, Danny being the exception. He is a fantastic element not being utilized over there...."

Moving Cass over to the EHC Red Court could be the relief Ava needed, or even a trade for Danny would be ideal. But all of this would require her having to play nice with Archer in more than one way. It wasn't appealing in the slightest.

John: “Don’t think of it as relying. Think of it as bargaining. We all get something we want.”

Ava sighed before accepting John's kiss. She held his cheek with her hand as he pulled back, looking into his eyes. She was willing to whatever it took to keep her court strong - to build alliances that would benefit them and her company. But these alliances happened to be with the devil in red and black today. While Ava had danced with many devils in her past, never when she was intimately in love with someone.

"We might all get what we want....but not without a price, John. Archer isn't going to bargain with just weapons....he wants to sleep with me. Another conquest conquered for him."

Would Ava have typical done it despite her dislike for Archer in the past? Yes. Now? The thought made her nauseated. Her brows furrowed a bit, but she remained stoic in her response.

"I will if I have to....for us. For this court.."

 

[Goliath]

Hellfire - Armory

Amanda was in rare form, and it was a bit exciting. As The Black Knight she had trained many members of The Black Guard, which was the black court's security detail, and she had trained Ben himself in combat years ago, before he had undergone his transformation. Now, it would have been easy to kill Cobra with a fraction of his strength. He could petrify, harden his hands and burst her head open between them, but there was no fun or skill in that. Conversely, Cobra was very quick moving, and she could contort her body in a number of painful looking ways, and her famous constriction attack was legendary and hard to survive. But this was the kind of trust that Hellfire was trying to build on - knowing you could take each other out with great ease, but respecting them enough to fight fair.

Amanda: "What do you suggest?"

She charged at him with GREAT speed as their blades met in the air, causing literal sparks as he flexed his strength against hers, the seams of his jacket tearing at the surge of his large biceps, their eyes meeting with wild intensity for a moments. He had to admit, Amanda was an incredibly attractive woman, but he always felt very out of his league. She was an international socialite from a very diverse cultural background. Both Spanish and Japanese, Amanda grew up in the epitome of wealth and propriety, and her education enough was enough to make a man feel stupid. He flexed his strength as it caused Cobra's blade to wabble as he kicked her in the stomach, as she went flying across the room, making sure to send her into a soft landing path. Again he could have crushed her in his hands, but Amanda liked feeling like she could beat up the boys.

"I think it's pretty simple, Mandy..."

Ben THREW his sword forward like it was a dart straight towards Amanda, who was getting off the ground. Without hesitation she clapped the blade together with her hands, stopping it inches from her face and threw it to the side, dropping her own sword to the ground.

"You need to get Archer Fairchild off Ava's back...and onto yours."

They took a break from the fighting as Ben began to walk towards Amanda, slowly and cautiously.

Amanda: "You think I should seduce Archer Fairchild?! Have you gone mad?"

Her anger brought a smile to his face. She was always so composed that whenever emotion won the battle to show itself on her face, it was a beautiful thing to see. The gap between them began to close as Amanda crossed her arms, letting him come to her.

"Well, not unless it becomes absolutely necessary...but Ava and John for that matter would not suffer Archer as much as they have if they didn't want something he had. If you could secure that for them without them having to be involved..well, that might make up for the fact that you publically humiliated them just now.."

There was inches of distance between them now as Ben began to notice Amanda in a different way. Her beautiful olive skin and slender body that didn't seem humanly possible. But then again, Amanda wasn't human. She was like him, both hand crafted by the finest doctor in the world. Her almond shaped eyes that she often flickered to yellow snake eyes for drama and sometimes utilized in the field. The way that her ballerina like body could almost keep up with his strength. He found his breath getting a bit heavier, as both of their tones seemed to take a more relaxed tone, though his body was still coursing with adrenaline from their little coup.

Amanda: "I really messed up there..didn't I..."

Her face turned away from his. Amanda was very good at her job, and it seemed her life mission to appear perfectly mysterious with a flawless record. She had let her impulse tarnish that, and it was clear she was upset, and her sudden vulnerability sent a charge of energy through his body, causing his ears to tingle. For years, she had been the strong one, forcing him out of his comfort zone, perpetually confident. Now, he FELT confident, and to see her the opposite of that, it was..well thrilling. Ben reached out and delicately turned her face towards his, her heading seemingly small in the touch of his very large hands.

"You did..but you can fix it...unless Alek has already...or AJ..."

She reached for her his hand, but she did not pull it away. She simply held onto it.

Amanda: "Please...Alek is a teenage crush...and AJ was a lapse in judgment I shouldn't have made. I let him use me to make his Queen angry..and I didn't care..Maybe I was falling apart before I stormed out of that room..."

He watched Amanda's beautiful light brown eyes look down in sadness for a moment as she turned away from him.

"No.."

Ben grabbed for her hips and turned her back in his direction, their eyes meeting again, locking in each other's gaze. He had promised himself in a drunken stupor last night that he was not going to be the same Benjamin Lewis anymore. And the new Ben wasn't going to let opportunity pass him by. Charged with the thrill of a physical fight, and driven by his new found state of mind, he breathed in her naturally intoxicating scent. She was truly a femme fatale in every sense of the word.

"You aren't falling apart, Amanda. We may not be human, but we aren't immune to the struggles of the mortal coil. You've just been perfect for too long..nobody can keep that up forever. You showed a crack...and it sucks, but you're also you. There's never been a precarious position that you haven't been able to get out of..."

She smiled, her delicately plump and lightly glossed lips pursed in a smile for a moment as her entire demeanor began to soften.

Amanda: "Well...this is one precarious position I don't mind being in..."

Ben gave a devilish smile as she curled a finger around the hairs in his beard in a circle, tugging on it a bit. For a moment he wanted to smack himself. He had not been with a woman in a very long time, and he found it impossible to resist her mouth.

"Me either..."

Their lips met slowly and delicately as his tongue slowly began to kiss hers with gentle affection. His body tensed up with pleasure as a wave of relief rushed through him. For the first time in what felt like forever, every muscle of his body began to relax. He felt as if he were NOT made of stone. It was exhilirating. His large hands grabbed her face, before running his left hand through her long and silken black hair. He nuzzled his face near her ear, his large beard tickling the side of her face as he made it clear what he wanted.

"I want you..."

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Red Queen's Chambers

Ash: And there were always some who starved, in winter. And you didn't know whether to grieve or be thankful that there was more to go around...

"Both, always both. Grief, and gratitude, and guilt too. That is one thing I do NOT miss."

He replied in a low rumble. She worried about him, which made him smile, not because he thought Her silly, but because it was heartwarming to hear Her concern. He tried to reassure Her that he healed quickly, but She only hugged him tighter. Then She asked curiously about what it was like to kill as a wolf, and so he tried to express it.

Ash: Carnal... I like that....

He smiled, as She compared it to killing men, with a blade to spill the blood out. He nodded as Her hand touched his heart through his skin. He felt a rush of desire then, not just at Her touch, but at the thought of Her driving a sword through a man.

"Yes, it's close, especially if they fight for their lives. Killing men is no fun when they cower and cry."

Ash: But still, a blade is not the same as your own teeth, your own claws.

"This is true..."

He agreed, as She laid across his lap. His hands began to track the curves of her body. He was unable to stop himself from touching Her, as he gazed down at Her.

Ash: I wonder if we had been human together, would things have turned out differently for us both? I was thinking about my human life...I don't know if I was a better person. I don't know which life I would choose, if I could go back...

He was quiet for a moment, as he considered it.

"If you had been my wife then, if my descendants were also yours... it is a nice thought."

He replied, but then he realized the tragedy in it. He had loved his human wife. She had been a loving mother, and a faithful partner, even after he changed. And he had continued to love her, even as she aged.

But it was a dutiful love of his, and towards the end he accepted her mortality, and let her go easily when she died. It was not the same as the way he felt about his Valkyrie. It was not a consuming passion, as this was. The thought of losing Ashley was so much more painful. It might kill him, if she died.

"Sometimes I also wonder if it would have been better to have just lived my human life. But then I see You.... and I know it is better this way."

 

[Steel]

Their Room

He offered to talk to Amanda for Ava, but she wanted to do it herself. And he knew it would be a difficult conversation for her. She and Amanda were friends. But still, if he couldn’t help her with the Knight, maybe he could relieve some of her burden with regards to the Princess.

Ava thought Cassandra’s new relationship with the ERQ was dangerous, but he tried to get her to see the potential.

"The European Red Court certainly does seem to be the weaker of the bunch, Danny being the exception. He is a fantastic element not being utilized over there...."

John could see the gears turning in Ava’s head. A trade between Daniel and Cassandra, both and their courts happier and stronger for it. He gave her a kiss.

"We might all get what we want....but not without a price, John. Archer isn't going to bargain with just weapons....he wants to sleep with me. Another conquest conquered for him."

“Well then he’ll be disappointed. Again.”

"I will if I have to....for us. For this court.."

He sat up abruptly.

“You can’t be serious.”

He looked into her eyes, incredulous.

“You aren’t a whore, Ava.”

With another unbelieving look, he threw the blanket off his legs and got out of bed.

“I know we’re not married, Ava. But you despise the man. You can’t- You can’t just-“

He looked at her, the hurt in his eyes. Both that she would consider sleeping with someone else, and that she thought she had to.

“I’ll kill Cassandra myself before I let you do that.”

 

[Persephone]

The court wide dynamic was always a tricky one, especially when they had to take the Europeans into account. Archer was a variable that Ava needed to deal with, both within Hellfire and outside with her company. John may have been right in saying they didn't need to rely on Archer as much as use him as a bargaining chip. But nothing was ever done for free. Archer already had stolen her weapons, the only bargaining chip she had left was her body - to sleep with a man she despised.

John: “Well then he’ll be disappointed. Again.”

Ava hesitated, looking into John's eyes with a mixture of pain and prowess. She would do what she had to in order to protect John - in order to protect the Black Court and her company. To build it stronger and get rid of the weak links that were holding them back. Even if it meant having to sleep with Archer...

"I will if I have to....for us. For this court.."

She hated saying it. She could feel the bile rise in her throat as she did. But it was the truth. John sat up quickly, looking at her with such an incredulous look that it tore Ava apart.

John: “You can’t be serious. You aren’t a whore, Ava.”

He threw the blankets off him as Ava sat up.

"John..."

She did feel like a whore at his reaction, her eyes glassy as she pulled the blanket up over her chest, trying to hide how exposed she felt in that moment. He was angry, he was hurt, and he had ever right to be. She was willing to fuck another man in order to get what she wanted, and she just admitted it to the man she loved. It may have been a strategic move on Ava's part, but it wasn't any less hurtful to John.

John: “I know we’re not married, Ava. But you despise the man. You can’t- You can’t just-“

Her eyes lifted at John mentioning being married, her heart fluttering at the mere thought. But then she looked away at him saying how she despised Archer, her hair curtaining around half her face hiding it from him. She did despise Archer. The sight of him turning her stomach. But she was Queen, and she needed to do what was necessary to keep her court strong which sometimes meant sacrifices and doing things she didn't like.

"I'm the Black Queen--"

John: “I’ll kill Cassandra myself before I let you do that.”

Ava was silent for a moment, her mind and heart reeling as she sat with her face hidden by her hair still, unable to look at John. She felt horrible that she was putting him in this situation. She felt horrible that she was even considering the act of sleeping with Archer Fairchild. She felt like she was letting her court down by not doing so, but in turn betraying John if she did. Ava felt the tears burning in her eyes. He was willing to kill the Black Princess and risk being killed himself by doing so for her - so she wouldn't have to put her body on the line. Shaking her head gently, Ava finally looked over at John, tears falling down her cheek.

"I'm sorry...."

Ava slipped out of bed, pulling herself against John's body, still feeling far too exposed for all the wrong reasons. She hugged him close, her head against his chest, eyes shut.

"I won't. I promise, I won't."

Ava inhaled a shaky breath in an effort to keep from crying.

"I would do anything to protect you and this court......I refuse to end up weak and hated like Helena and Diana. Alone...."

Diana and Helena may have been powerful in their prime, but toward the end of their reign they had become so consumed by their powers and status that their entire courts hated them. They had no lovers in fear of looking weak. They were suffocating in their own power until finally they were snuffed out because of it. Ava didn't want that to happen to her. But more importantly, she didn't want to lose John after just getting him in her life...to end up alone as her predecessors did.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Queen’s Chambers

They remembered, together, times long past, before such abundance. When people died as a matter of course, and it often meant your own survival.

"Both, always both. Grief, and gratitude, and guilt too. That is one thing I do NOT miss."

She shook her head.

“Nor me.”

It was why she would eat from places her sister queens would never dream of: that so much was available so easily in this time. She never had to even think about whether there would be something to eat. There always was. People here went hungry by choice rather than need, to look more attractive. It boggled the mind.

She asked him about killing as the wolf, and likened it to killing a man up close, but said it wasn’t the same.

"Yes, it's close, especially if they fight for their lives. Killing men is no fun when they cower and cry."

She scoffed.

“They don’t deserve to die in battle if they do that. Better to let them crawl away and die alone.”

She laid down so she could look up at him, his face perfect in its imperfection. His hands ran over her skin, and her body arched into his touch. His gaze made her heart flutter in her chest, her breath catch in her throat. She wondered aloud what it would have been like if they’d lived as human together. Her fingers traced patterns on his forearm, as she thought of a different life. He didn’t respond right away, as if he was really thinking about it. He was like that, he listened to what she said, didn’t brush her off.

"If you had been my wife then, if my descendants were also yours... it is a nice thought."

She laughed then, eyes smiling.

“We would have had sooooo many.”

Her hand traveled up his arm to his shoulder.

"Sometimes I also wonder if it would have been better to have just lived my human life. But then I see You.... and I know it is better this way."

She smiled, heart swelling.

“I wouldn’t give you up for anything. In any time.”

She pulled his shoulder down towards her, raising her mouth to find his lips.

 

[Steel]

Their Room

John wasn’t naive, he knew that uncomfortable things had to be done for the good of the Court. But not for this. Not with him.

"I'm the Black Queen--"

“And you’re better than that. There are other ways to get what you want.”

Ava’s face was hidden by her hair. But he stared at her anyway. He told her he’d kill their princess before he let Ava fuck Archer for a deal.

“Or has nothing changed?”

He was hurt, and angry at the thought of her with Archer. But when she turned and looked at him, tears on her cheeks, his heart broke.

"I'm sorry...."

She was out of bed, and he was opening his arms, wrapping her up.

“I’m sorry too. I’m so sorry.”

"I won't. I promise, I won't."

He rubbed her back.

“I know. And you don’t have to. Not anymore.”

"I would do anything to protect you and this court......I refuse to end up weak and hated like Helena and Diana. Alone...."

“You’re not alone, Ava. You never were. You’re not them. You’ll never be them.”

He lifted her chin so she had to look at him.

“I’m not asking you to to be weak, or put this Court at risk for me. I’m a big boy, Ava.”

He wiped the tears from her face.

“But this is not a sacrifice you need to make.”

 

[Persephone]

John was angry, the tone in his voice made it apparent. She was the Black Queen and needed to do what was best for her court - for them. If that meant sleeping with Archer, she would have done so without a second thought before. But now, it was a different story. John told her she was better than that, but how could she be when she had done it before?

John: “Or has nothing changed?”

Her face was hidden by her hair so he couldn't see her, and thank God for that because his words cut through her like a knife. She inhaled a sharp breath, her face filled with pain. How could he ask something like that? How could he think nothing had changed?

"Everything has changed..."

She whispered, the thought of him looking at her now as if she were a whore cutting her apart. She finally turned to him, tears falling down her face, the pain evident. She apologized as she slipped out of bed, needing to hold him and hoping like hell he wouldn't push her away. But his arms immediately opened, the angered and hurt expression on his face disappearing.

John: “I’m sorry too. I’m so sorry.”

"No...don't..."

She shook her head. He had nothing to apologize for. She was the one willing to throw away what they just fought 15 years to get for Archer Fairchild. It was ultimately for her court, but the course lead her down the path of the European Black King regardless. Ava gripped John tightly, not wanting to look up at him right away. The thought of him looking down at her like she were a whore killed her. Anybody else? Ava could give two shits. The entire club could think she was the biggest whore since Helena Quartermaine and she would brush it off and probably play it up just to spite them. But John? No....she couldn't see that look he gave her earlier. She couldn't see that doubt. Ava didn't want to end up hated by her court - by him. She didn't want to end up alone.

John: “You’re not alone, Ava. You never were. You’re not them. You’ll never be them.”

He went to lift her chin and Ava tried to move her face so she wouldn't have to look into his eyes.

"John.."

She whispered in protest, but he persistent. Ava kept her eyes close for a moment longer before finally opening them to meet with his. His eyes were again gentle as they always were when they looked at her. It felt like she could breathe again in that moment.

John: “I’m not asking you to to be weak, or put this Court at risk for me. I’m a big boy, Ava. But this is not a sacrifice you need to make.”

Ava nodded gently.

"I'll find another way."

Her eyes finally lowered as her hands slid up John's bare chest, one right over his heart. As she held her hand there, feeling his heart beat beneath it.

I don't want you....I can't--"

She finally lifted her eyes to John again, hers filled to the brim with tears and pain. The Archer situation was put to rest. She wouldn't sleep with him despite it being an easy way to get what she needed for her court and her company. John wasn't like Cameron in his lax views of sexual satisfaction. When John loved someone that person was his and only his. And Ava couldn't do that to him...she couldn't hurt him to further her political agenda. But what hurt above anything else was the look he gave her when she said she would do what she had to. The look of astonishment and pain. The flicker in his eyes that made her believe that in that moment, she was a whore. She never wanted to see that look again.

"I can't bare you looking at me like i'm a whore. Not you...never you..."

 

[Steel]

Their Room

The thought of her, allowing Archer Fairchild, a man that disgusted her, to touch her to make a deal...it made his blood boil. Moreso, that she felt obligated to do this.

"Everything has changed..."

He wrapped her in his arms, his anger dissolving as soon as he saw her face. He told her he was sorry, and he was. She fought him as he tried to make her look at him. He told her she wasn’t alone.

"I'll find another way."

Finally she looked at him, eyes filled with tears. He tried to wipe them away. He hated that he’d upset her. It stabbed him like a knife.

"I can't bare you looking at me like i'm a whore. Not you...never you..."

He pulled her against him again, hugging her tight.

“Baby...you’re not a whore. That’s the point.”

He pulled back to look at her again.

“I will not make my Queen, the woman I love, sleep with someone she hates for an alliance. I’m not Alek.”

He cupped her cheek with his hand.

“I know you’re the Queen. I know I don’t own you.”

He looked into her eyes, heart laid bare.

“And if you slept with someone else, because you wanted to. I would hate it.”

He exhaled sharply.

“It would kill me. But it would be your choice. I won’t let Archer Fairchild take that choice from you. You’re worth so much more, Ava, than a business deal.”

 

[Persephone]

She laid herself bare in front of him, admitting that out of everything that could be said to her in hate or anger, him looking at her like she were a whore gutted her the most. No one else, just him. Only him.

John: “Baby...you’re not a whore. That’s the point.”

He pulled her tightly against him and Ava involuntarily let out a sound of grief, holding John tightly as she shut her eyes. Her breaths were shaky as she tried to calm down, using the beating of his heart as a way to steady herself. It was hard for Ava to be emotionally raw like this. Angry? Yes. But sadness? Never.

John: “I will not make my Queen, the woman I love, sleep with someone she hates for an alliance. I’m not Alek.”

He pulled back enough so he could look at her, the tears finally letting up. This was a massive transition for Ava; from sole ruler to ruling with a King. She never had to take anyone's opinion or feelings into account until now. She never had to worry about hurting someone she cared about with her actions. Now, she had, and it hurt. But John tried to reassure her that he only wants whats best for her. That he wasn't like Alek who disregarded Ashley at ever turn in order to make sure the Red Court was strong. John was the polar opposite of Alek.

"You're nothing like him....And I love you so much for that."

John cupped her face within her hands, Ava shutting her eyes at the feeling.

John: “I know you’re the Queen. I know I don’t own you. And if you slept with someone else, because you wanted to. I would hate it.”

Ava opened her eyes at that, her brows furrowing once again.

"No--"

John: “It would kill me. But it would be your choice. I won’t let Archer Fairchild take that choice from you. You’re worth so much more, Ava, than a business deal.”

Ava's midnight eyes met with John's, staring at him in such disbelief. Cameron and Haleigh loved each other, but they desired sex with other people. It was their prerogative, their love life, but they still desired others. Ashley and Alek couldn't stand each other anymore, hate overshadowing their relationship. But John? He wanted only Ava. He loved only Ava. And to hear him say that - to hear him tell her she meant more to him than business and Hellfire politics meant more to her than John could even understand. Ava reached up, her hands holding his face as his held hers.

"There will be no one else, John....I only want you. I only love you. If I could marry you today, I would..."

Ava brought her lips to his, kissing him deeply.

"I'm sorry if I gave you any doubts of that. I'm used to putting my feelings aside when I have to make hard decisions. If I hated it i'd do it anyway if it meant this court would thrive. But now I have you....and I need to take your feelings into consideration, not just mine. I'm sorry.."

She gently ran her thumb along his stubble.

"But never doubt my love for you, Steel. You have my heart. You always have."

 

[Savage]

The Hellfire Club - - The Red Queen's Chambers

Ashley laughed, bringing a big grin to AJ's face.

Ash: We would have had sooooo many.

He leaned down over Her to touch his nose to Hers briefly. The thought excited him, sending his pulse racing, as his hands traveled Her slopes, now eagerly.

"Yes, I would have given You as many babies as You wanted..."

He replied, with an amused rumble. And then he remembered the fate of his human wife, and he knew he wouldn't have wanted that for his Queen. He'd rather have here and now with Her, and he told Her so.

Ash: I wouldn’t give you up for anything. In any time.

She said, smiling up at him, and he smiled back, getting lost in Her eyes. She pulled him down into Her kiss, and for once he responded slowly, his tongue pressing into Her mouth gently. His hand went through locks of Her hair, still wavy from being braided the night before. It was a long time before they stopped to catch their breath.

"We should leave Hellfire for a bit, after the Europeans go home. We can vacation at my cabin, up in the forest, and take a break from all the noise of the city and the madness of the mansion. It would be just us, for miles."

He suggested, as his fingers toyed with the tie of Her dress, not yet pulling it undone.

"We could hunt together..."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Queen’ Chambers

She laughed, thinking of the sheer number of children they would have had being human in either of their times, as many times as they had sex in a week. He touched his nose to hers, which made her pulse race. Her hand stroked his arm, while his hands touched her skin, both soothing and exciting at the same time.

"Yes, I would have given You as many babies as You wanted..."

She arched an eyebrow at him.

“Do you think you could have restrained yourself?”

It was a lovely daydream, and she sighed out happily, thinking of the life that could have been. At least in fantasy. Her hand traveled up his arm, needing to touch him. The fantasy was nice, but she would not choose any life that didn’t have him in it.

She could have gazed up into his eyes all day, but she wanted his lips on hers, and pulled him down to her. He kissed her tenderly, so unlike their usual rough and heated encounters, but with no less passion. His hand was in her hair, and her hand went to the back of his head, feeling his soft hair on her fingertips. Their mouths explored each other, losing themselves in that kiss. Having no sense of urgency to finish, knowing that it could go on forever.

"We should leave Hellfire for a bit, after the Europeans go home. We can vacation at my cabin, up in the forest, and take a break from all the noise of the city and the madness of the mansion. It would be just us, for miles."

She was still a little breathless, and the idea of it brightened her face even more.

“That sounds wonderful. Just us, alone. No city lights, no phones. A fire in the hearth.”

Her bedroom here had a wood burning fireplace, she had insisted on it. His fingers were on the tie at her waist, making her crazy with anticipation.

"We could hunt together..."

“And only eat what we killed, like in the old days.”

The thought of it being the two of them, alone, away from all this. Living without the need of anyone or anything else. It was too beautiful a thing to fathom, she almost couldn’t stand it. And she knew looking into his face and the way it looked back, that he would never allow her to go hungry, or to want for anything else. It was how their lives should have been.

She lowered her eyelashes, her lips curling into a mischievous smile, her mood turning decidedly more sultry as her body called to his like a siren.

“Though, we might starve, if we never leave our bed.”

Her hand reached down, and slowly undid the top button of his jeans. Then it slid up to the hem of his shirt, and pulled it upwards. Her mouth pressed against his perfect golden skin at the center of his chest, and then she lay back again, her hand finding his fingers that teased the tie of her dress.

“But we won’t go hungry today.”

 

[Hex]

Breakfast was boring. Ava made her Rook her King. Because peasants deserved promotions apparently. She clapped, barely, as everyone said their congratulations. Brienne's icy blue eyes studied Steel standing next to Ava, narrowing just a bit. She wondered how quickly she could break him in half....she'd save that for another day. Soon, everyone began to leave and Brienne stood, plucking her champagne flute from the table and making a quick exit. She saw the Red King go after the Black Knight after she left in a huff. It was comical. She hoped the Knight would get hung on the flag pole for her insubordination. But knowing Ava, she'd look the other way. Weak cunt.

The American's were so boring. And they let so much shit slide. If Brienne ran this branch there would be blood painted on the walls every day with the way these Rooks and Knight and Princesses spoke and acted toward their Queens. She may have been young, but she was no doormat. She knew how to handle her shit and keep it in check. But alas, she was not back home in England....she was here, restless and bored.

Leaning up against the Red King's door, she could hear his Queen and her Knight talking inside. Brienne smiled. So in love. She thought. So weak. Love was an emotion often sought after by the insecure and needy as a means to validate themselves and their worth. It was overrated and unnecessary - dangerous to let trickle into the heart. It was like a cockroach, you let just a bit in and the whole fucking colony takes over. Brienne sought out power above all else. Power wouldn't leave you broken hearted in the middle of the night.

Tossing what looked like a ball from one hand to another, she glanced down the hallway to finally see Alek round the corner. She smirked, pushing herself away from the door, still tossing the object between her hands which was revealed to be a head. She smirked sadistically, tossing the head at Alek. It was still warm, but the skin hard like leather.

"Juliette said I could play with her meal. She drained him dry....pity. I was hoping to hear him scream when I ripped his head off."

Brienne shrugged as she sauntered up to him.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you. Your Queen seems to be having deep conversations with her Knight about her dried up ovaries and pretend babies. Riveting stuff."

Licking her lips, her eyes traveled up Alek's body until they met with his gaze.

"Remind me how someone like her became your Queen? She's so....ordinary."

 

[Steel]

Their Room

He didn’t think she was a whore. And he didn’t want her to become one either. He wouldn’t be like Alek, who treated his queen with so little regard.

"You're nothing like him....And I love you so much for that."

He touched her face.

“I will never treat you that way. You mean too much to me.”

He knew he couldn’t control her, that he didn’t have the right. But he wouldn’t let her do this for someone she hated. Business wasn’t worth it. She looked into his eyes, her hands on either side of his face.

"There will be no one else, John....I only want you. I only love you. If I could marry you today, I would..."

She kissed him, and the Rook in him was saying she was diving in head first, that she didn’t know what she was saying. The King in him was saying, I’m sure we have a judge on the payroll.

“I don’t want anyone but you, Ava. Nothing is more important to me than you are.”

"I'm sorry if I gave you any doubts of that. I'm used to putting my feelings aside when I have to make hard decisions. If I hated it i'd do it anyway if it meant this court would thrive. But now I have you....and I need to take your feelings into consideration, not just mine. I'm sorry.."

“Shh...don’t apologize. But you have others now, to make the sacrifice for you. That’s what it means to be Queen.”

And pehaps that was how their Knight could make up for her mistakes...

"But never doubt my love for you, Steel. You have my heart. You always have."

He smiled, leaning towards her.

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

He pressed his lips gently against hers.

“I love you, babe. More than anything.”

 

[Persephone]

She admitted something to John that may have been a little bit of a bomb drop - a little fast considering they had just officially gotten together. But Ava had known and loved John for almost half of her life, and to say she would marry him today wasn't a lie. She would. And she wished she could.

John: “I don’t want anyone but you, Ava. Nothing is more important to me than you are.”

"I feel the same way..."

She told him this was all new to her. She was so used to ruling solo, as Queen, that having to take his feelings into consideration wasn't something she was used to. But she would never make a decision that would hurt him just to benefit their court, and she told him as much. She apologized for thinking so brazenly about sleeping with Archer to further their agenda. It was never meant to hurt John, it was simply a strategic move.

John: “Shh...don’t apologize. But you have others now, to make the sacrifice for you. That’s what it means to be Queen.”

"I know...."

She whispered, her hands holding his face as she shut her eyes. She hated losing control, even in a position of power. If she could do it herself she would because she knew there would be no mistakes made. But she needed to let the reigns go a bit, especially with John by her side now. She looked up at him, telling him that he would always have her heart no matter what. That he always did have it, even before.

John: “I’m going to hold you to that. I love you, babe. More than anything.”

"I love you."

He pressed his lips against hers and it felt like a cool breeze against her skin. Like she could breathe after being suffocated by guilt. She pulled herself against him, deepening the kiss, her hands slipping around the back of his neck to hold him there. Finally, she pulled back enough to speak, her eyes searching his.

"I meant what I said...I would marry you today, John."

She softly spoke between them.

"Or any other day after if you'd have me...."

She knew this was a topic that scared most men away, but she needed to say it anyway. Just to prove to him that she wasn't going anywhere. That she was his and only his.

"And no, i'm not being irrational. [she smiled knowing how he though] I'm being honest."

Ava softly pressed her lips against his once again, slowly walking backwards toward the bed as she deepened their kiss. When the back of her knees hit the mattress, her arms wrapped around John's neck as her tongue slipped into his mouth. She would show him, title or not, ring or not, that she was his. Forever.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club - - The Great Hall

Haleigh was thoroughly enjoying the eggs Benedict when Cameron’s hand crept up her lap. He had absolutely no shame, in this crowded breakfast hall, and it felt so good that Haleigh almost dropped her fork. He asked her mentally what he’d done to deserve being denied their morning ritual, and as he did he pressed deeper, and Haleigh moaned in spite of the others still at the table.

She hadn’t been engaging in much more than small talk for this meal, choosing instead to be observant, to make note of who was talking to who. Juliette had been at breakfast just long enough for the announcement and a quick drink, and then she’d left just as she’d arrived, in the shadows. Liam was now talking with Jack and Heidi. Many had already left, but Zach was chatting with the European Red Queen.

Cameron: There aren't many those left in the room with PSI Screens...I COULD take you right here, right now...if that's what my Queen wants...

Haleigh wore a dirty smile as his thought crossed her mind.

You could take me anywhere, my King....

She thought in coquettish reply, her gaze leaving the group and settling on him.

Cameron: Do you want me to fuck you in front of all these people, Haleigh?

She crossed her legs, trapping his hand there, holding it still, giving herself a momentary respite.

No....

She thought, the feel of his stubble on her neck raising goosebumps on her skin.

This time, I want you all to myself. Take me to bed.

 

[Wallflower]

Hellfire - Armory

Ben: "I think it's pretty simple, Mandy..."

She winced at the nickname, as if she were the moniker of a Barry Manilow song. He flexed his strength, causing her own position to wobble as he sent her flying through the room. Normally, Ben was a rather reserved sparring partner, always worried that he would somehow break her unbreakable bones, but today he was showing a bit of passion, and though the kick all but knocked the wind out of her, she was exhilirated. Anticipating his next move, Amanda contorted her body upright through sheer muscle constriction as she caught his blade in mid air, clapping it together in place with her hand as she threw it to the ground, dropping her own sort. Amanda had moxy, but she also knew she wasn't indestructable. She stood in a less defensive stance, signaling she was ready to back down from their scrimmage. He began to approach Amanda carefully.

Ben: "You need to get Archer Fairchild off Ava's back..and onto yours."

Her body repulsed at the thought, suddenly feeling a lot less sexy.

"You think I should seduce Archer Fairchild?! Have you gone mad?"

It wasn't the craziest idea. There were far less attractive goombas to have to seduce in order to secure some kind of partnership between the courts, but it certainly wasn't her number one plan. She found herself following Ben's body up and down as he moved towards her with an attitude not present in him before. He was being so brazen..and she liked it. He was The Black Bishop, and he was the man in the black court one went to when they needed information or needed to plan a move, but Ben normally stayed out of Amanda's way, business wise. Whatever he had gone through the night before, was definitely working for him now. Ben was a very attractive, rugged and strong man, but his self doubt had caused Amanda to never even consider the possibility of entertaining him in a romantic way. This was a different Ben altogether, and Cobra found herself mezmerized.

Ben: "Well, not unless it becomes absolutely necessary...but Ava and John for that matter would not suffer Archer as much as they have if they didn't want something he had. If you could secure that for them without them having to be involved...well, that might make up for the fact that you publically humiliated them just now.."

That stung. She had made a stupid and impulsive move, and she was a woman who prided herself on her discipline and control over herself. But she was also a woman who came from a family with a bit of a rebellious streak. Sometimes, she had no choice but to say fuck it and deal with the consequences later. This time those consequences sucked. She softened her stance as Ben filled the space in front of her, their bodies inches apart, the electric chemistry undeniable.

"I really messed up there...didn't I.."

For whatever reason, Ben had a strength right now that she lacked, but she figured there were worse people than Ben to be vulnerable with. He was a very good man, but he still fit into Hellfire. She had always envisioned him being a sort of social force within the club, and he was, just not in the way she thought he could be. His familiar but ghost like quality within the mansion allowed him to overhear a GREAT deal of information, as he was powerful enough to sit in the room with The Inner Circle, but so unregarded that people spoke freely in front of him, almost as if to taunt him. But this man standing in front of her right now was something didn't altogether. His giant hand cupped her face with strength but warmth.

Ben: "You did...but you can fix it...unless Alek has already...or AJ.."

"Please...Alek is a teenage crush...and AJ was a lapse in judgment I shouldn't have made. I let him use me to make his Queen angry...and I didn't care...Maybe I was falling apart before I stormed out of that room..."

She had been acting a bit out of sorts the last twenty four hours, but she attributed it to her cobra like senses. Sometimes she felt she could actually sense when things were off in Hellfire. She placed her free hand over his, gently stroking him, her eyes filled with vulnerability and truth. This was getting a little too deep for Amanda Soto. Her encounter with Alek had left her a little hot and heavy, and she was already a bit angry at herself for her mistakes. Her carnal nature wanted her to mate, and today it was particularly strong. She needed to get out of this room. She turned away to leave the room as she felt Goliath's strong arms grip her hips and spin her around to face him, her hair lightly dancing against her face for a moment. Their noses all but touching.

Ben: "You aren't falling apart, Amanda. We may not be human, but we aren't immune to the struggles of the mortal coil. You've just been perfect for too long...nobody can keep that up forever. You showed a crack...and it sucks, but you're also you. There's never been a precarious position that you haven't been able to get out of...'

"God he is sweet..."

She smiled at The Black Bishop.

"When did he become so well spoken?"

Her wild nature was winning. She reached up and wrapped her finger in his beard, giving it a soft tug, something she had always wanted to do.

"Well...this is one precarious position I don't mind being in..."

Their faces moved closer, their lips on the brink of each other's passion.

Ben: "Me either..."

Ben and Amanda's lips met not with rapid speed and crazed passion, but of slow, delicate and romantic heat, which surprised Amanda. Maybe this was not a case of a predator and her prey, perhaps there truly was something there with Ben. She wrapped her hands around his thick, trunk like neck as her fingers gripped the bottom of his fade and pressed her hips against his marble body. He whispered into her ear.

Ben: "I want you..."

And she wanted him, he pulled her into his arms as she found herself feeling incredibly safe despite his incredible strength as their lips became more intense as Ben's tongue came slowly into Amanda's mouth, interlocking with hers, and massaging it gently.

"Mmmmm....."

She was so lost in his arms and this moment that when she realized what she was doing, it was almost too late to stop herself, but she mustered the discipline she was famous for, pushing against him with her arms, and writhing out of them in a way that only she could. Her chest was heaving with anticipation and so was Ben's. The image of his giant chest heaving up and down because she was caused a reaction in such a strong man was not helping her walk away.

"Ben..."

She placed her hand on his chest, calming him as his eyes pierced through her.

"Not like this..."

[somberly]

"And not now...it's not good for either of us. We... [hesitantly] have a job to do. I'm sorry..I.."

His hand reached for hers, their gazes decidedly more somber.

Ben: "We...have a job to do."

She shook her head at Ben.

"I'm not saying..I don't want this, Ben. I'm just saying we need to revisit this later, when things are a bit...quieter around here. Please?"

The Black Knight could tell that he did not want to let go of her, but he did. Inches between them turned into a foot as they looked at each other, both knowing that right now was not about their personal lives, but about their court. This weekend was an important one, and they needed to show BOTH courts where the real strength in Hellfire lied - within them. She needed to nurture this new side of Ben, and she needed to broker an alliance with Archer.

Ben: "Alright arlight. You're right. We need to keep our head straights."

Amanded exhaled loudly.

"Right..so, we should prepare ourselves for the Red Event. I would like for you to keep an eye on Daniel Reed. He has been all over our Queen, and she likes him. She deserves a full run down of his background, which you can help get..."

Thinking, she gripped her chin with her fingers, switching into work mode.

"And after the conversation I just had with Alek, it's clear that we don't have many friends on The Red Court. We need to open a line of communication with Ashley's men, or even Ashley herself. I'm not in the best position to do that, so it would be a good idea to make yourself more "known" to them this afternoon."

Ben nodded in agreeance as there became a long and uncomfortable silence. She looked up at him, wishing that he would ignore her and take her right her in the armory, but knowing that now was not the right time to act on her feelings, in any sense of the word. She needed to rely on her head, and right now, her head was telling her that starting something with Ben was not a good idea. Though she was worried she already had.

"I'll see you...soon."

She turned and walked towards the door, stopping herself before opening as she looked back at him, desire in her eyes.

"This was....surprising...but I liked it, Ben. I just want you to know that now, so that you don't question it..Goodbye..."

The Black Knight used her enchanced speed to move through the halls, needing to get to her quarters before she rebelled against her head and did something very fun, but very stupid. Zooming into her room, she closed the door behind it, as she exhaled with relief.

"You still got a hold on this, Amanda. You still have control."

She allowed herself several moments to process what had just happened between Ben and herself as she shook her head slightly, and moved on to the task at hand. The Black Knight had suffered a social and political hit, and she needed to remind all of Hellfire why she was the Knight to WATCH.

 

[Berserker]

The Red Wing

He came around the corner of the Red Wing, to see Brienne standing outside his door. A smile came to his lips, and something else stirred in him. She tossed him something, which he caught with one hand. It turned out to be a shriveled head. He looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

[QUOTE="Hex, post: 64799, member: 1214”]"Juliette said I could play with her meal. She drained him dry....pity. I was hoping to hear him scream when I ripped his head off."[/quote]

She moved towards him in that sexy way she had, and he moved forward, closing the distance.

“You know, I can get you a fresh one. Or several, if you’d like.”

He held up the head then tossed it to the ground, brushing his hands against each other.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you. Your Queen seems to be having deep conversations with her Knight about her dried up ovaries and pretend babies. Riveting stuff."

He scoffed, and held up his hands.

“I don’t enter my Queen’s bedroom unless I have to.”

She was eyeing him, and he could tell she liked what she saw. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall.

"Remind me how someone like her became your Queen? She's so....ordinary."

He rolled his eyes, pushing off the wall.

“I know. The folly of youth. She's good in a fight, and the mercs like her. But she is certainly not what I would choose now.”

He eyed her appreciatively, taking the few steps towards his own door.

“Now. Shall I call for an unwilling victim or two to be brought to the dungeon, or...”

He pushed his door open, smiling.

“Do you want to work up an appetite first?”

 

[Prophet]

Hellfire - Great Hall

Her thighs gripped his hand, driving him wild. He was prepared to throw her on the table, shred her dress and fuck her like a jackhammer right in front of all these people in The Great Hall. There were many delicious creatures walking this Earth, but none of them could even buy the wax required to make a candle they could hold next to his wife. He growled under his breath, his desire building.

Haleigh: "No...This time, I want you all to myself. Take me to bed."

Cameron's manhood swelled as he gazed into the doe eyes of The White Queen and a pervasive smile crept upon his lips as he kissed her neck. The Inner Circle was used to seeing their frequent public displays of affection. He bit Haleigh's earlobe, it tasting as sweet as any other part of her body as he whispered into her ear.

"I want you so bad."

They made to their quarters with a graceful speed as they found themselves in front of their bed, viciously ripping each other's clothes off. Cameron bit at the strap of her dress before ripping it entirely from her milky white sinful body. In an instant his mouth was on her generous breasts, exploring them as if it was his first visit here as she wrapped her legs around his waist, toppling them over onto their large white bed. His strong hips flexed against hers as his lips moved up her neck alternating between light kisses and rough bites. There was always something about The White King that made him want him to CONSUME his wife, as if there was a connection they could only have if he were to be inside of her at all times. And the wet warmth between her legs seemed to signal to him that she felt the same way. He lifted himself up with his large and chiseled arms, hovering over his wife as he stared into her eyes for a moment, as his face went from desire to desire and love.

"Do you want this, Haleigh? Do you truly want to have my child? Would you be happy?"

He kissed her lips softly and yet with masculine strength.

"I'll die if you are unhappy..."